Jun 13, 2008 3:54pm
Tim Russert, 1950-2008
EmailHe was a giant. He loved politics and politicians and his family and reporting. He will be missed.
I’m sure all our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his colleagues at NBC.
- jpt
He was a giant. He loved politics and politicians and his family and reporting. He will be missed.
I’m sure all our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his colleagues at NBC.
- jpt
Santorum: Money Will Not Defeat Obama, Ideas Will 
Rick Santorum's Full Speech at CPAC 2012
I hope NBC takes this opportunity to get rid of Matthews and Olberman. Let’s clean the slate.
Posted by: Jeff | June 13, 2008, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
Sorry to here that. Obama just lost one of the second highest paid employee.
Who is next Olberman.
Posted by: tim | June 13, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
He was an incredible newsman and political analyst.
May God rest his soul.
Posted by: Ivan | June 13, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
That’s very nice of you Jeff.
Posted by: Sean | June 13, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
he was an OBAMA supporter, and he led the media bias against Hillary.
Good riddance!!!!!
HILLARY OR MCCAIN 08!!!!
Posted by: Nancy from FL - GO PUMAS!!! | June 13, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
I am so sorry about Tim….he was such a wonderful person.
I feel for his family!!
Patricia Ocala, Fl
Posted by: Patricia Heath | June 13, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
Sunday mornings will truly not be the same.
This is such a shock…I can’t believe it!!!
Posted by: Rachel | June 13, 2008, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
We will keep this “amazing racing” going for you tell the finish line.
My prayers to his family and friends.
I am a big fan and I am sure Tim Russert was a good person with good values. I am also sure Tim is with God now helping with the numbers…..
Posted by: Becky | June 13, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
I am sorry he died. Those idiots at NBC/MSNBC are probably fighting for his job as we speak.
Posted by: Keith | June 13, 2008, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
The only thing more jaw-dropping than the untimely loss of Tim Russert is the tone of some of the reples here…
God speed, Tim…we miss you
Posted by: phillygirl64 | June 13, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
My sympathies go out to Tim’s family.
He will be greatly missed.
Posted by: ohiogal | June 13, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
It won’t seem the same without seeing Russert during this Presidential election. His graphs, his tendency to be a bit dramatic at times and his clear passion for politics and his work will be much missed. My condolences to his immediate family and his NBC family.
Posted by: alpaig | June 13, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
Sunday mornings will not be the same. God speed Tim Russert.
Posted by: pembleton | June 13, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
For you Tim,
“Go Bills.”
Posted by: pembleton | June 13, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
Maybe we will see LESS media sexism and misogyny now! I hope Hillary siezes this opportunity!
Hillary or McCain 08!!!!!
Posted by: Nancy from FL - GO PUMAS!!! | June 13, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
I guess the Hillary hate got to him.
Posted by: Caveman | June 13, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
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Posted by: Omentum | June 13, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
I’ll remember two things about Tim Russert:
1) He asked tough, searching questions.
2) He seemed to be a genuinely happy man who loved his work.
Posted by: LESD | June 13, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
God Bless Tim and my thoughts to his family.
Posted by: Jen | June 13, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
I count on the Sunday morning news talk shows for some objective debate on the topical issues. Tim Russert was a fine journalist and leaves a great hole in that lineup of Bob Schieffer, Mclaughlin, Gwen Iffel and Jim Lehrer.
Posted by: louielouie | June 13, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
Condolences to the Russert family. He was great to watch. I watch him on MSNBC every Sunday afternoon for 4 straight years, until he started to call on Hillary to quit. I hope Chris Mathews and especially Olberman do not replace him. We need unbiased reporting. That will make Russert proud.
Posted by: For our country | June 13, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
i dont know why anyone is attacking tim russert over sexism…. its beyond me
when tim russert said of bill clinton there is just no mathematical way possible for anyoen else to win the nomination, the clintons hailed him as a mathmatical genius
and now when he says the same thing, its considered sexism
you peopel should be ashamed of yourselves,
tim russert was an amazing journalist and politicians everywhere came on the show because it was a show that could really make or break you…
he asked the tough questions and was a great political voice
i hope someone comes and cleans the bs up off this site… just disable the replys on here,
ill miss my meet the press sundays with tim russert
Posted by: bhrandon | June 13, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
we lost a good man today
love you Tim- you will be missed
Posted by: from colorado | June 13, 2008, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
I am sorry he died and my heart goes out to his family.
But I think he, like so many journalist today try to make the news when they should just report it.
Posted by: Tww | June 13, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
That is incredibly sad.
It’s just an election. A man died that we all watched. Regardless of our take on his take, a man has died.
Fair sailing, Tim. God speed.
Posted by: len | June 13, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
I have watched Tim Russert on “Meet The Press” for many years. His exploration of topics were very thorough and he is the only moderator I really did appreciate. God will look after him and his family. “The world lost a great individual”.
Posted by: Jake | June 13, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
If any friend or family of Tim Russert is reading this, my deepest condolences on the death of a fine journalist.
Posted by: louielouie | June 13, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
belle
his family is still in italy, they had to find out about his death over a phone
Posted by: bhrandon | June 13, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
My heart goes out to Tim Russert’s family. I know how it feels to loose a spouse suddenly. 5/15/2000 I had ovarian cancer. After three surgeries, we were sure that I would not survive. My husband was strong and healthy and had just received a clear bill of health from the cardiologist. In one swift moment he was gone. Here I set alive and well to tell his tale. The sudden loss was much more crippling than the cancer and the final surgery 3 months after his death. Tim Russerts family and friends will be stricken by this day, but I pray they find the strength to feel his love long after this day passes.
My deepest sympathies.
He may be physically gone, but his spirit will reach out to let you know he cares.
Heavens Touch
It comes in a whisper that calls to our ear.
A voice filled with love that causes a tear.
Sounds in the night when shadows are still.
Beckons from meadow and forest and hill.
It drifts on a breeze in cool summer air.
Turning our head as it touches the hair.
Faint fleeting odor gives hosts to a smell.
Exciting a heart to beat fast and swell.
Ghostly sweet kiss on the neck you can feel.
Stall acts of living and feels oh so real.
These are the hauntings we feel as we grieve.
Easing a pain when our loved ones must leave.
A peek in the shadows of what we have lost.
Measured in moments for what death has cost.
These are the things we miss so darn much.
Be not alarmed, it is just heavens touch.
Coolridge, WV 25825
Posted by: cjvwise1 | June 13, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
A punch in the gut, pure and simple. Russert was the best through the years. He will be sorely missed on Sundays and election night.
Posted by: matt | June 13, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
Prayers to his wife and son and all his family.. especially his dad, who outlived him. Nothing worse than outliving a child. Nothing. Even if that child is 58. God Bless them.
Posted by: A reader in Georgia | June 13, 2008, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
This nation has lost it’s compassion. Whether it is an elderly man bleeding in the street or the death of a man of intelligence, we have some very nasty people on this blog. My heart goes out to the family.
Posted by: cjvwise1 | June 13, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
Tim Russert was in Washinton preparing for his news cast.He died at work. It was his wife and son in Italy.
Posted by: cj | June 13, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
I am not American and discovered Tim Russert about 3 months ago one Sunday morning but I am really sad to hear this news.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Rest well Tim.
Posted by: Natalia | June 13, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
Unless you have endured the knock on the door by a policeman and clergy with the news of a lost loved on, you could not even fathom how horrific it is. My sympathies to Tim Russerts family
Posted by: cjvwise1 | June 13, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
Tim was a good man and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family who im sure at this hour are wrestling with this terrible news, and so far from home.
Posted by: bhrandon | June 13, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
I speculate that politics are the furthist from the minds of anyone who knew Tim Russert. Be it Obama or McCain, I am sure at this moment in time, neither is being vindictive. If the US is breeding such self centered individuals, what does it matter who wins an election. We are creating our own hell or heaven by the way we respond to others.
Posted by: cjvwise1 | June 13, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
You don’t have to know someone personally to feel sadness with their passing. It’s called respect.
Posted by: d | June 13, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
He Walked With Me
Poverty of birth and youth stalled life.
Til fate of age retrieved a lonely heart.
Two as one were joined by God and man.
Joy found in arms that cradled gently.
Rejoicing a love that stayed the pain.
Til the jewel was stolen by the night.
Bells rang as shadows black did speak.
Reciting not for merit but existence.
Name and stats of a man who died.
Words that stole reason for living.
As morning sun blind eyes of sight.
Echoes of a cry made laughter vanish.
Shadows rushed to lift from the floor.
Now taking form to listen to babble.
Of a loving man that gave so freely.
A treasure of worth exceeding gold.
His warmth reaches out to touch me.
As I remember still his loving kiss.
Awaiting God to reap another harvest.
Grateful for a time he walked with me.
By Velma Champion
Posted by: cjvwise1 | June 13, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
I respect the fact that you are not saddened, but to come here and make such comments is simply rude and insensitive to those of us who do mourn the loss of a great guy and a darn good political journalist
Posted by: phillygirl64 | June 13, 2008, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
phillygirl64 writes:
“mourn the loss of a great guy and a darn good political journalist”
The plain fact is that Russert was NOT “a darn good political journalist” during the last few months, unless you count partisan pandering as journalism.
Death is sad, period. Fuss at God about it, okay?
Posted by: Belle Starr | June 13, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
Tim Russert Dies of Heart Attack
Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” collapsed at the NBCs Washington News bureau and died of a heart attack this afternoon while recording voice overs for Meet the Press. He was 58 years o…
Posted by: Big Dogs Weblog | June 13, 2008, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
You tell ‘em Belle. There is death everyday in this country / world and in such horrific ways and depending on what you believe this could be a good thing…entering “eternal life”, reincarnated, circular file, pure energy, dust, potpouri.
He lost all my respect as a Canisius Lad when he went after Senator Clinton like a mad dog about the jobs she promised to WNY.
Posted by: LL Barra | June 13, 2008, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
So sad and unexpected. My heartfelt condolences to Tim Russert’s family. He was a great reporter, though a bit off the mark with Clinton. But, hey, reasonable people can differ. I will truly miss him on Sunday mornings. It just won’t be the same without him. He made his mark on his profession.
Posted by: countallthevotes | June 13, 2008, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
countallthevotes writes:
“It just won’t be the same without him. He made his mark on his profession.”
THAT’s a fact. :^|
Posted by: Belle Starr | June 13, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
Two words:
Cheney
Nantucket
Posted by: Belle Starr | June 13, 2008, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm
Never really watched MSNBC, the few times I watched it was his show i saw. Now I do not agree with his politics, and his liberal stance but that is not personal
My thought and prayers go out to his family, and God Bless his soul because Politics hopefully does not exist in heaven!!
Those of u from either side of the aisle that wish death upon others or insult them upon their death do nothing to promote your thoughts it just shows how sick you are!!
Posted by: spock | June 13, 2008, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm
Amen, Debra.
I think your post just about sums it up for me, too.
While I haven’t much appreciated the pro-Obama bias of most of the major networks during this election season, and was not at all thrilled with Mr. Russert’s May 6th proclamation that Obama was now the Democratic Party nominee (he still isn’t OFFICIALLY, by the way), that does not mean I cannot feel deep sadness over his death.
I remember him appearing on several news and talk shows after his first book was published, “Big Russ and Me,” and how proud he was of his book, but especially of his father. Having lost my own father at age 12, his adoration of, and lasting tribute to his father was very touching and admirable to me.
My heartfelt condolences to his wife, his son, his father, and all of his colleagues in the journalism world. I know his sudden death and loss will be long felt by all of you.
God Speed, Tim Russert.
Posted by: Lee | June 13, 2008, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
“Florida, Florida, Florida’
An iconic moment in TV and election history. Russert hit the nail on the head in 2000.
I don’t know him personally, but I am a bit taken back by the mean-spirited things people are saying on this thread.
The death on any man diminishes us all… to paraphrase John Donne.
Posted by: SmartPrimate | June 13, 2008, 8:48 pm 8:48 pm
Whether or not you agreed with him, be compassionate for his family. My condolences to his wife and son.
Posted by: J | June 13, 2008, 8:58 pm 8:58 pm
I still can’t believe he’s gone. This really is a sad day. Honestly. Words can’t describe how sadden I am over this news.
Posted by: Vanessa | June 13, 2008, 9:07 pm 9:07 pm
This was so sudden and tragic. I watch Meet the Press every weekend. It just won’t be the same. He will be missed by many. My heart goes out to his family.
Posted by: erin | June 13, 2008, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
Dear Tim,
You were the best of the best and we all will miss you so much!
When you said it we all knew it was true, with no spin or bias for anyone except the American people…
No one since Peter Jennings will be missed so much, but you even more…
Gods speed and rest in peace!
Posted by: Davis | June 13, 2008, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
amazing. someone just lost a father, someone just lost a son – two days before father’s day. some are just sicker than others, and PP seems to draw them flies.
Posted by: mara | June 13, 2008, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
AND there was a D.C. power outage?
AND there’s going to be an autopsy on Russert?
AND Obama’s talking about leaving the country, to jet around until the Democratic Convention? (see McClatchy)
AND the Democrats cancelled some press deal for the convention because they’re uh short of money (AP)?
Just plain weird.
Posted by: Belle Starr | June 13, 2008, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
Lee writes:
“I … was not at all thrilled with Mr. Russert’s May 6th proclamation that Obama was now the Democratic Party nominee (he still isn’t OFFICIALLY, by the way)”
Obama may NOT be the nominee — especially if he really runs off for a world tour of undisclosed locations rather than debate scary ole John McCain.
Posted by: Belle Starr | June 13, 2008, 11:21 pm 11:21 pm
My Sunday mornings were not complete without an hour with Tim.
You will be missed.
May God bless and comfort the family during this time of grief.
Posted by: jAYjAY | June 14, 2008, 12:02 am 12:02 am
I liked Tim. He was 5 miles to the
left of me, but he tried to bring
out the craven politics on both sides
of the aisle. There is NO ONE at that
TV news empire that could tip-toe
on the fence quite like Tim did. The
liberal mantra of NBC/MSNBC will have
no common sense ballast. Matthews,
Olberman, A. Mitchell, Abrams, are
DNC card-holding yappers. Unfortunately,
they will inherit the mantle, by default. The gravitas of Meet The Press
died today.
Posted by: 357 Magnum | June 14, 2008, 12:18 am 12:18 am
BelleStar,
I think you’re on to something. Maybe Omarosa did this because Matthews was about to drop the “Whitey” Tape.
Wouldn’t surprise me.
Posted by: Whoa | June 14, 2008, 12:21 am 12:21 am
Nancy from Florida
Do you live under a rock? Hillary is out so its Obama or McCain!
Posted by: IslandGirl | June 14, 2008, 12:48 am 12:48 am
Nancy says;
“he was an OBAMA supporter, and he led the media bias against Hillary.
Good riddance!!!!!
HILLARY OR MCCAIN 08!!!!”
What a cruel thing to say about a man who just died. Wow!
Posted by: IslandGirl | June 14, 2008, 12:50 am 12:50 am
I’ve been in shock all day and it’s sad that some people have decided to use this sad moment in American history to trade insults, what a shame. For those of you who made fun of Tim or insulted him, just know it’s wrong to attack someone that can’t fight back. Your negative acts might come back to hunt you someday.
Rest In Peace Tim.
Posted by: Owen | June 14, 2008, 1:23 am 1:23 am
Please forgive me for writing this on a blog dedicated to the late Tim Russert,
but, Belle Starr:
What’s this about Obama wanting to leave the country until August?
I must have missed that while I was busy reading all of the Russert stories and rememberances.
Posted by: Lee | June 14, 2008, 1:44 am 1:44 am
Russert was excellent. He was compeletly neutral and professional. Until this election cycle that is………
But ignoring his love of Obama , Russert was a man of high integrity and principal. He is an icon of journalism, one who will be where the standard is set from now on.
Posted by: same old | June 14, 2008, 4:29 am 4:29 am
Tim Russert was a very good political reporter and will be truly missed. You could always count on him to provide fairness. It was obvious that he took his role as public informer very seriously and made sure we got the facts.
His family must have been so proud of him and all his accomplishments. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Posted by: Hope For Change | June 14, 2008, 6:05 am 6:05 am
Hmmm…Do YOU suppose OLbermann can learn from this?
How about Matthews??
Andrea Mitchell also seems in “disbelief” that SHE will ever evaporate from the scene..
The WHOLE BELTWAY WASHINGTON CROWD just got a BIG wake up call…
Self-Introspection should become the order of the day!
Posted by: ChrisMeihass | June 14, 2008, 8:33 am 8:33 am
“Those of u from either side of the aisle that wish death upon others or insult them upon their death do nothing to promote your thoughts it just shows how sick you are!!”
OMG…spock said something I agree with!
Posted by: phillygirl64 | June 14, 2008, 9:08 am 9:08 am
The man was a class act in every respect. It takes a real creep to ridicule the dead.
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | June 14, 2008, 9:29 am 9:29 am
My deepest sympathies to the Russert Family.
Posted by: debbie cho | June 14, 2008, 9:42 am 9:42 am
Sorry to say this, but…. Obama curse is spreading… first TK, then TM…
Posted by: Joe | June 14, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
Dear All:
Tim Russert will be missed by us who know him. He left the world a better place. Yet, his work is not complete as it has just begun in heaven. I love you Tim
Posted by: JimJJr | June 14, 2008, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
i am shocked by the inhuman comment by Patricia Heath. how insensitive can someone be?? is she even for real? if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all, you meanie.
Posted by: maria | June 15, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm